Type bar support



July 3, 1962 E. J. BRANN 3,042,176

TYPE BAR SUPPORT Filed May 17, 1961 INVENTOR z EDWD J. RANN BY A'f'TORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice 3,042,176 Patented July 3, 1962 3,042,176 TYPE BAR SUPPORT Edward J. Braun, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to Royal Mcllee Corporation, Port Chester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 17, 1961, Ser. No. 110,731 5 Claims. (Cl. 197-42) This invention relates to a novel type bar support arrangement for typewriters, and more particularly relates to a low cost support means for the arcuate head rest element of a typewriter.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and very low cost arrangement for eificiently arresting the return movements of a set of type bars so that no operational rebound of said bars occurs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel type bar support arrangement whereby a substantially rigid arcuate head rest element is yieldably mounted for movement in any direction in a plane that is substantially normal to the ends of various type bars.

A further object of the invention is to provide a substantially rigid arcuate head rest element for engaging, arresting and supporting a set of type bars, said arcuate element being connected to the typewriter segment by means of a pair of coil springs.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the instant type bar support arrangement.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view in partial section and shows the assembled condition of the parts at one end of the arcuate head rest element.

The instant head rest comprises an arcuate element 11 which is formed with parallel bent-ofi? cylindrical ends 12 and 13. The arcuate body portion of element 11 is constructed of a rigid heavy gage wire and is preferably covered with any suitable type of noise inhibiting plastic material 14. A pair of helical type coil springs and 16 are provided, the normal inside diameters of the reduced ends 17 and 18 of springs 15 and 16 are slightly less than the respective diameters of the ends 12 and 13 of said arcuate element 11, while the normal inside diameters of the enlarged ends 19 and of said springs are slightly less than the respective diameters of a pair of spaced cylindrical support studs 21 and 22, said studs being fixed to the usual typewriter segment 23 that pivotally supports a normal complement of type bars. The intermediate yieldable portions of springs 15 and 16 are generally conical in shape. As may be seen from FIGURE 2 the respective reduced ends 17 and 18 of the coil springs are adapted to expand slightly so as to receive and releasably grip the respective ends 12 and 13 of the arcuate element 11, and in the same fashion the enlarged ends 19 and 20 of said springs are adapted to expand slightly so as to receive and releasably grip the respective studs 21 and 22. The springs together with the element ends 12 and 13 and the studs 21 and 22 normally extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the type bars to be supported while the arcuate head rest element 11 is normally disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to plane of the type bar segment 23. This type of structural arrangement affords a substantially rigid arcuate element which contacts and supports the outer ends of the type bars of the typewriter but which is yieldably supported by springs 15 and 16 for universal movement in any direction in its own plane, i.e. for m-ulti-direction movement in a plane that is substantially normal to the said ends of the respective type bars.

As the respective center, left end, and right end bars such as 24, 25 and '26 of the typewriter return to and strike the arcuate head rest element the latter will be deflected in various directions in its own plane as illustrated by arrows 27, 28 and 29 respectively. This resilient deflection will absorb virtually all of the kinetic energy of the moving bars so that there is substantially no tendency of said bars to rebound after striking the arcuate head rest 10. As will be apparent the instant structure is exceedingly simple, inexpensive and durable, and prolonged tests indicate that this arrangement provides a very eflicient means of properly arresting and supporting the type bars.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form. of the same is shown for purposes of illustration only and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

I. In a typewriter having a segment with a plurality of type bars pivotally mounted thereon, a substantially rigid arcuate head rest element having a pair of bent off ends, a pair of coil springs each having an end which is adapted to receive and releasably grip an associated one of said bent-oil ends of said arcuate element, and means for securing the other ends of said coil springs to said segment whereby said arcuate element may yieldahly support and arrest the outer ends of said type bars.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a pair of members which are fixed to said segment and which are received and releasably gripped by the said other ends of said. springs.

3. In a typewriter having a segment and a plurality of type bars pivotally mounted thereon, a substantially rigid arcuate head rest element formed with a pair of parallel cylindrical ends, support studs fixed to said segment, a pair of helical coil springs each having an enlarged cylindrical end which is adapted to receive and releasably grip an associated one of said studs and each having a reduced cylindrical end which is adapted to receive and releasably grip an associated one of said head rest element ends, said element ends, springs and studs normally extending in a direction substantially parallel to said type bars and said head rest element normally being disposed in a plane substantially parallel to said segment whereby the resilient action of said springs provides a multi-directional yieldable support for said arcuate head rest element and the outer ends of said type bars.

4. In a typewriter having a segment and a plurality of type bars pivotally mounted thereon;

a pair of studs fixed to said segment,

a substantially rigid arcuate head rest element,

and a pair of helical coil springs operatively yieldably connecting the ends of said arcuate element with said studs respectively whereby said arcuate element and said type bars are yieldably supported for universal movement in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of said segment, said ends of said arcuate element, said studs and said coil springs normally extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to said type bars.

5. Apparatus in accordance With claim 4 wherein the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Felbel Apr. 18, 1911 Pasinski June 9, 1936 Page et al. Aug. 5, 1952 

